Mile-High Design

ICONIC JET | Chiara Melani

It features two 9.12 kN GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines, allowing for a cruising speed of 778 km/h at FL300 flight level, with a maximum flight level of FL430 (12,477 meters). Almost 13 meters long, with a wingspan of 12.12 meters, it is able to carry up to 5 passengers and 2 crew members; it is autonomous, now 17% more than the previous version by a good 2,661 km. This is HondaJet, an ultralight jet from the American Company headquartered in Greensboro, and it was presented at the most recent edition of EBACE. “Thanks to achievements in innovation, design, and engineering, our new aircraft features numerous improvements in performance and comfort that raise the bar even higher in aviation. We are excited to share the latest technological feats from Honda Aircraft,” says Mr. Fujino, the President, Founder, and CEO of Honda Aircraft Company.

A fianco, Michimasa Fujino
President and Chief Executive Officer
Honda Aircraft Company

We met with him during his presentation at the international jet fair EBACE. “The original HondaJet was introduced in 2015, and became the best-selling jet last year. But our goal is to continuously improve, and measure of improvement with HondaJet Elite is range, to fly farther – so approximately 17% farther flying. HondaJet can fly from London to Moscow, or from London to Istanbul, so you can cover almost all of Europe and peripheric countries. And also, it’s well known that HondaJet is a very quiet aircraft,” continues Mr. Fujino.

He also emphasizes how the engineering has focused on design care, with sophisticated and comfortable furnishings, creating a unique and functional space. Some automatic stability and protection features have also been added in order to improve safety, as well as fuel efficiency. The aircraft is approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will soon receive certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Thanks to OTWEM (Over-the-Wing Engine Mount) configuration, the fuselage, and Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) composite wings, the aircraft is the best in its class in terms of efficiency, quietness, speed, and autonomy.

“So I think HondaJet is not only just a luxury item, but it’s a tool to change and improve lifestyle. HondaJet is a high tech aircraft; it is very high performance, the fastest, the most fuel efficient, and also very comfortable and quiet. It is a technological luxury item, and it is functional beauty,” concludes Mr. Fujino.